Vic authorities destroy dangerous toys

Lead-based face paints that posed a risk of poisoning kids are one of the 26,000 dangerous toys destroyed in Victoria in the lead up to Christmas.

Consumer Affairs Victoria inspected 887 shops, businesses and warehouses in search of dangerous products.

Items seized included toy-like novelty cigarette lighters, projectiles capable of damaging eyes and toys that contained lead and other poisons.

"The products being destroyed today pose a variety of risks to children, including the potential to cause choking, eye injuries or lead poisoning," Consumer Affairs Minister Heidi Victoria said in a statement on Thursday.

One trader, DW International Trading Pty Ltd, and its director Bo Hui Dong were fined $30,000 for supplying face paints containing 14 times the allowable limit of lead.

Under Australian consumer law, a supplier who fails to comply with a mandatory safety standard can face fines of up to $220,000 for individuals and $1.1 million for a body corporate, Ms Victoria said.